Kirarin Revolution, episode 24

(きらりん☆レボリューション) 2006

Kirari (voiced by Koharu Kusumi of Morning Musume!) is a middle schooler who LOVES her food. So much so that it's scary! While girls her age swoon over idols, Kirari swoons over her dad's cooking, and couldn't care less about the life of a celebrity. But when she saves the pet turtle of Seiji of pop group SHIPS and falls in love, she decides to become an idol herself so that they can be together (or so she hopes).

All that's left now is the third round, and it might be the most difficult of all. Kabata-san (that blonde, pink wearing weirdo) has composed music, and the girls must each write lyrics to go with it, then perform their work for the final judgement. Fubuki cleverly asked if there was anything else they could do besides what was already required, which you know is a set-up for some kind of unfair "fluff" to make her look more flashy. When the wordless melody is sent to Kirari's company, there is little time to celebrate her second round victory (though she did get in eating some sweets). Upon hearing it for the first time, the only kind of thing Kirari can come up with involves ice cream flavors. And if she's serious about winning, that won't do at all. Kumoi-san and the others tell her that she has to pick a subject that everyone can relate to - and that's love. With that in mind, that night she sits at the little table in her room, and tries to think of something, anything, that involves that emotion. Of course, referring to Seiji for inspiration causes her to squee and blush. She thinks about when she first met him and Hiroto, but it soon becomes all about Hiroto, how he's helped her along and how gentle and kind he is. When Kirari realizes what she's doing, she freaks out.

The next day, Kirari relaxes on a bench in public. She seems to think a small pink visor will disguise her from being recognized, and it backfires at rocket-like speed. Trying to get away from the fan mob, she stops to rest for a few seconds and is grabbed by a mysterious hand. This hand belongs to Hiroto, and like usual he calls her an idiot. They make a getaway on a bus going who knows where, and after taking a breather realize they are still holding hands. Shortly after, Kirari spots the sea, and they decide to get off and really look. Because of where they are, it's decided that it's safe to take off their coverups. Hiroto asks how the lyric writing is going, and she says she's having difficulty because she doesn't really get romance (how quickly she forgets the TWO OTHER TIMES she learned what love was!). But doesn't she like Seiji? She should use those feelings to write the song. Kirari doesn't know how to answer that, and is so distracted they both don't notice when her visor flies away. So when a group of girls come walking towards them, Kirari will be spotted for sure, and that will cause big trouble (especially if Hiroto and Kirari are spotted ALONE, and in a romantic setting, to boot!). Thinking fast, Hiroto pulls Kirari to him in an rather intimate embrace, telling her to stay still until the girls leave. She knows it was meant to shield her face, but the idol can't stop her heart from beating so fast, and tries to reason that anyone's heart would beat this way under such a circumstance. Anyway, she likes Seiji (so stubborn). Then she has one of her freakouts, spins away from Hiroto and lands in the ocean.



Now soaking wet, Hiroto takes her to a nearby house so she can wash off the sticky ocean water. She's angry about it, and reasons that she also can't like Hiroto because of all the trouble he causes for her. But then Hiroto does something super sweet and gets himself all wet too, so she won't be alone. They can't very well walk around like that or get home that way, though, so Hiroto takes them into town into a clothing store. Hiroto buys something for himself, and Kirari tries on various outfits until they find the "right" one. When they DO find the right one, a green and blue dress, Hiroto blushes and says it's fitting (and he also pays for it, along with something for Naa-san). With all of this going on, Kirari just can't lie to herself anymore. She has feelings for Hiroto, and there's not much she can do about it. But the SHIPS member thinks it's high time she confessed to Seiji - after all, he's why she became an idol. And since she's worked so hard to get where she is, Hiroto himself confesses that he's getting very close to accepting her. Kirari just responds with the excuse that she's still not very good, and doesn't think Seiji cares much. Well then, he'll just have to help her - don't know what Seiji is thinking. Kirari decides to hide her new feelings deep in her heart - she'll probably never reveal this to Hiroto, but maybe someday.

At the end of the episode, Kirari is still trying to start her lyrics. She thought love was supposed to be wonderful - instead, it's hard and it's painful. Perhaps she can use the song as a way to confess to Hiroto, without any danger of either boys finding out. We also see Fubuki and her manager. The creepy woman tells Fubuki she can't lose to Kirari and then reveals two mysterious male figures. Who are they and how are they a benefit and sure win?

This whole episode had me going "D'awwww!" - the Kirari/Hiroto pairing is just so cute. Even though I just KNOW they will get together (how could you not? It's following the standard formula pretty closely), I wish they'd hurry up already.